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Hey Priyanka, travellers aren't the same as refugees. Here's why

Hey Priyanka, travellers aren't the same as refugees. Here's why

In her latest shoot for Condé Nast Traveller, Priyanka wore a shirt that made this uncomfortable comparison
Updated 16 Nov, 2016

No, Priyanka Chopra is not a refugee, nor an immigrant, or an outsider — she's a traveller, at least that's what her shirt on the cover of travel magazine Condé Nast Traveller (CNT) India says.

In the latest issue of the luxury travel mag, Bollywood actor Priyanka Chopra graces the cover in her most casual look thus far: wet hair and a white tank top printed with text.

The problem lies not in her look but her choice of shirt. Of the four words on the tank, three; refugee, immigrant, outsider, feature a red strikeout and the fourth, traveller, has been left as is.

I find this incredibly problematic, not to mention insensitive.

The Quantico actor on the cover of Condé Nast Traveller India Oct-Nov 2016 issue. Photo: cnt.in
The Quantico actor on the cover of Condé Nast Traveller India Oct-Nov 2016 issue. Photo: cnt.in

What I feel the actor was trying to put across was that being a South Asian woman, she's tired of being reduced to a stereotype. Priyanka must have endured her fair share of hardships, especially while breaking into Hollywood: 1) She's brown, 2) She's a woman, both of which in Hollywood, an industry which has been called out for racism and sexism time and again, must have been difficult obstacles to overcome for the Bollywood actor.

But here's my issue: the above doesn't justify the actor trying to take a stand by clubbing three serious issues with leisure. She could've chosen a better way to oppose the rejection and prejudice she faced. As the famous saying goes, 'with great power comes great responsibility', and I feel PeeCee could have been more mindful of her wardrobe for the shoot.

I mean, how can Priyanka Chopra, one of the world's highest paid TV actors, relate to a refugee? Of what I know of the actor, I think I can quite assuredly say never.

So then why compare a refugee, an immigrant and an outsider to a traveller, especially when they are poles apart?

By calling herself a 'traveller' and comparing it to refugees, immigrants and outsiders, Priyanka has minimised the plight of these people. Travellers seek pleasure and entertainment, these are people who have the privilege and luxury to travel around the world, which is why the term is at odds with the other three.

Another issue is that it draws parallels among these four words, when in truth, they are all divergent and entirely unrelated.

Furthermore, in the interview with CNT, Priyanka mentions that she's a 'nomad' and says, "You don’t need a house. You just need a great travel agent who knows amazing hotels, or rental apartments" when asked where she would like to live.

Of course it's scripted to fit the bill, and why not? Her statement defines what 'traveller' means, but it is in conflict with what her shirt reads. So here's a little perspective on the matter, because the status of refugees, immigrants and outsiders is not interchangeable with the status of a traveller.

Does a refugee = traveller?

Um, no. Speaking of one such current event of refugees, let's take the Syrian refugee crisis. People, by the millions, are facing complete pandemonium. These are people who have been forced to pack up against their will and flee their country; leaving behind all valuables, running for their lives, in hopes of escaping the atrocities being inflicted in their homeland. They are running from home, from what they call 'safe' to the unknown, with their kids and family members. Many die while fleeing, others live to face persecution and other difficulties.

They definitely don't sound like willing globetrotters to me.

Does an immigrant = traveller?

I don't know whether CNT has lent an ear to Donald Trump's ramblings, because if they did, they would know that the Republican is against the interests of immigrants in the US and called legal immigrants a security threat. He also said that once in their country, they "then plotted to kill Americans, [and were] sometimes successfully [in] doing so." Now these are serious allegations hurled towards immigrants by a man who could be nominated the next US president.

These people don't seem like they're on an excursion to me. They're facing real-life struggles trying to make their chosen country feel like home.

Does an outsider = traveller?

Studies state that outsiders are often victims of hate crimes. The 'fear' of an 'outsider' tends to make people feel insecure, convinced that the only solution is taking action against them. A few examples include minorities living in the US who have faced dire consequences of such crimes. Countless cases of hate crimes have been reported that have led to violent results, many a times even murder.

These people don't sound like they're holidaymakers to me. They're fighting for acceptance and the right to coexist in a foreign land.

So here's my question to the travel mag, and the Bollywood actor, subsequently: How does one equate a refugee or an immigrant or an outsider to a traveller? How are these four options even remotely related or associated with someone who has wanderlust? The answer is, they're not.

I understand that Priyanka may have tried to highlight the constant stereotypes we brown people face. Trust me, I of all the people understand, but as a high-powered actor, drawing parallels between yourself and a refugee isn't the way to go about it.

Comments

Hassan (Karachi) Oct 09, 2016 12:34pm
"I understand that Priyanka may have tried to highlight the constant stereotypes we brown people face. Trust me, I of all the people understand, but as a high-powered actor, drawing parallels between yourself and a refugee isn't the way to go about it." I expected more from a former Miss World. I hope she realizes her mistake and at least apologizes on twitter.
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Abdul kalam Oct 09, 2016 12:35pm
Reading too much between the lines... Not so necessary
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Ahmad Oct 09, 2016 12:49pm
T-Shirt one means that she is not a refugee, immigrant or outside in any country but just a traveler. What is wrong in that??
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Deepak Oct 09, 2016 12:53pm
Why Pakistanis watching Indian Bollywood films if they are banned in the country
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Imran Jiwani Oct 09, 2016 01:24pm
This is ridiculous. I cant believe my eyes Priyanka comparing these 4 terms. Has she not heard, read and seen of the plight of refugees. Truly shocked.
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Karma Oct 09, 2016 01:26pm
..It is like I am superior to refugee, immigrant, and outsider yet still a victim..
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yawar abdul rehman Oct 09, 2016 01:28pm
she should have written only traveller instead ...
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yawar abdul rehman Oct 09, 2016 01:29pm
"As the famous saying goes, 'with great power comes great responsibility', and I feel PeeCee could have been more mindful of her wardrobe for the shoot" => conclusion
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wellwisher Oct 09, 2016 01:34pm
she is right
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Avinash Oct 09, 2016 01:37pm
Seeing a ghost where none exist? The text on her tank top is just meant to make it clear that she is not a Refugee, Immigrant or an Outsider but just a Traveler
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Khilari Oct 09, 2016 01:45pm
@Deepak article is about a magazine and not a Bollywood movie. The ban on movies came into force merely 15 days ago.
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Nasiruddin Oct 09, 2016 05:18pm
Its a non issue. By "Traveller" she is endorsing the magazine cover. Now, she has got what she wanted - ATTENTION
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Rajesh Punjabi Oct 09, 2016 05:41pm
Priyanka is very smart actress, and I love her for her acting skills. She is never found in any controversies like Khans, Johars and all.
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Saurabh Mhatre Oct 09, 2016 06:01pm
Real lack of common sense n sensitivity to include word refugee. Ppl really need to think over abt things in this mad rush of making statements n being out of the box
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Ashok Oct 09, 2016 07:03pm
Who cares about what Priyanka thinks?
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GREAT Oct 10, 2016 01:25am
Making a mountain out of a molehill. She is looking great though.
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Salman Oct 10, 2016 02:12am
@Deepak For the same reason that you're ogling on a Pakistani news site even though your country is banning pak actors from working in Indian films. Grow up kid! Politics and entertainment are two different things. People have the right to enjoy with whatever films or movies or shows they find entertaining. Diplomatic or political enmities DO NOT necessarily mean to be enforced over billions of individuals. Govt can enact with whatever laws it deems necessary for its people. Doesn't mean that all the people should stop connecting to the world on their own.
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Saad Oct 10, 2016 06:41am
A simple réthorique can let you know that neither have Indians been réfugies not migrants nor been considered an outsider in any part of the world . So a traveller is justifiable.
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Gita Oct 10, 2016 06:43am
Priyanka stands tall for human rights for refugees, immigrants, all the world's displaced. How can people get the shirt message so twisted. She is crossing off harmful labelling that denigrates people because of their circumstance. Priyanka is a wonderful human being as well as performer! Truth.
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sat Oct 10, 2016 07:48am
When one has to criticize for the heck of it. Don't think that she is drawing parallel, She is only saying that she is a traveller and not the other three. Keep it simple guys!
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Dawood Oct 10, 2016 07:59am
The author is stressing too much about it and took it literally. Have you ever traveled around the world in it's true essence . Using travel agents and using up fortunate savings isn't traveling. You travel to seek refuge, you travel to migrate to other countries and settle wherever suits fit. We all are travelers, our ancestors were too. A few generations later, your kids may decide to move to another part of the world to seek immigration or refuge depending on what you call the entry door.
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Proud Pakistani Oct 10, 2016 09:58am
@Deepak the same as Indians watching Pakistani dramas when they are talking about banning PakistanI artists and dramas
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ROOHDAAR Oct 10, 2016 10:04am
It depends on the perspective how u see it I see it as You have already blocked refugees, immigrants, and outsiders And now who is next TRAVELLERS.? I feel it is this way n all if us ve got it wrong.
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Patriot Oct 10, 2016 10:07am
She is downgrading refugees, immigrants who are avoiding war in their land and immigrating or taking refugee status in other countries
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Shopman Oct 10, 2016 11:41am
My goodness...One T-Shirt and we are all tied up in knots. In a perfect world there wouldn't be any refugees, immigrants or outsiders. There will only be travelers. So please everyone just calm down, hold your horses and stop getting offended with every little thing.
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Apoo Oct 10, 2016 12:33pm
This is called blowing out of proportion s
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Anuj Gupta Oct 10, 2016 01:04pm
@Salman Good reply. Everybody has the right to do whatever they feel like.
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sufyan Oct 10, 2016 01:13pm
i like the picture
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Hari Oct 13, 2016 10:57am
Basically what her T-Shirt says is that "Look folks, I am rich person with means to take care of myself and doesn't need your your scraps for living and I like the good life you have for yourself as an insider. She is among those lucky enough to be in an environment where she can choose her dress, what is on it and so on... The problem with the dress of course is that it exposes the brutal fact that money or moving in affluent circles need not rub one person with wisdom, knowledge or humility (of course not expected). The message on her T-Shirt is snobbish in as much as it says, look, give me the respect I deserve because I am not a migrant,... Of course she will never reach a stage where she see all humans as humans first, not in this birth at least. And there goes her chance to be humane in this life-time.
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Deepak shukla Oct 15, 2016 08:53am
@Hari Too good and true.
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